Escondido, Calif.-based Palomar Health appointed Diane Hansen its permanent CEO, according to an emailed statement from the organization. Additionally, the health system's Board Chair Joy Gorzeman resigned.
Ms. Hansen assumed the CEO role on an interim basis in November 2017. She succeeded Robert Hemker, who retired. Ms. Hansen was previously executive vice president of finance at Palomar Health.
The health system's board decided to enter into a two-year employment agreement with Ms. Hansen due to her achievements as interim CEO.
"In a few short months, she has successfully settled a lengthy labor dispute, addressed regulatory concerns on several fronts, restructured the district's bond indebtedness resulting in substantial cost savings and implemented a more efficient organizational structure. These changes have stabilized our organization and created a more solid foundation for progress going forward," Palomar Health's new Board Chair Dara Czerwonka wrote in the statement.
Ms. Hansen also led the health system through a reorganization that resulted in 42 layoffs in January.
Ms. Gorzeman departed from the board chair role, "due to some personal matters." She was elected to the role in 2016.
"Unselfishly, [Ms. Gorzeman] felt it was best to allow another person to take her seat who can devote the time needed to best represent our constituents and organization during this time of change," wrote Ms. Czerwonka.